On the left is when Loki was first netted and brought to VVHS. On the right is Loki enjoying an adventure.
Bennett, now Loki, is enjoying plenty of love, attention and exercise at his forever home after spending half a year at our shelter. Loki was spotted running loose for a couple of weeks and diligently avoided traps and treats. He was eventually netted and brought to VVHS where he was fearful of humans and leashes. During his six months at the shelter, he learned to trust humans, lose his fear of leashes and began to love his walks.
Loki’s adopter, Theresa, shared a few words about how he’s doing in his new home:
“When I first visited, I wasn’t planning on adopting a dog right away—I was just looking. But something about Loki stood out. I felt an instant connection with him, like he was meant to be part of my life. I knew he would help me just as I would help him, and that feeling has only grown stronger since bringing him home.
“Loki is doing wonderfully. He’s smart, strong, fast, and picks up on things quickly. He definitely likes to test boundaries now and then, but he also has a sweet, snuggly side that melts my heart. He’s everything I could have hoped for and more—the perfect match for me.”
Theresa is also excited to start training Loki to be her service dog.
Russet demonstrated his artistic skills while licking off the peanut butter with help from a shelter volunteer.
Generous owners helped raise money for the shelter by sponsoring original acrylic paintings done by their pets. Often referred to as shelter kisses, pooch paintings, canine canvases or arf-art, these works are all one of a kind.
Here is how it worked. Volunteers from the shelter randomly applied dabs of acrylic paint to a 10” x 10” stretched canvas. The canvas was then placed in a gallon-size ziplock freezer bag. Peanut butter was then dribbled onto the outside of the freezer bag. Then the dogs licked off the peanut butter, and in so doing they spread the paint around in a totally original mixture of colors and patterns.
Owners paid $10 for each painting done by their dog. Other attendees at the function purchased paintings done earlier by dogs at the shelter.
This canine art extravaganza was held on a recent Saturday afternoon at DA Ranch Winery on Page Springs Road. An estimated 50 dogs and owners enjoyed the afternoon of wine and art in the shade of the winery’s numerous Poplar trees.
Alice Klies, Board VP and Maxine Belcher, Board President manned the VVHS information table which included two pieces of art done earlier by dogs at the shelter.
New Outside Meet & Greet Area Planned
A space immediately adjacent to the shelter’s entry walk will be converted to a Meet & Greet area where prospective adopters can spend some quality time with a dog they are considering for adoption. This outdoor shaded space will allow humans and animals to get acquainted in a more relaxed setting.
For security reasons, the 850 square foot area will be fenced-in with a double-entry gate. The two shade trees will remain but will be trimmed to provide more walking space. Two benches will be added.
Grant applications for this project are in progress and anyone interested in being the named sponsor of the Meet & Greet space are urged to contact Board President Maxine Belcher at maxine.vvhs@yahoo.com. Bids for grading and fencing are currently being solicited. Target completion date is November 1, 2025.
Rendering courtesy of Rich Poling RA/RID Retired
Join us for Wine & Wags on August 7th!
Join us on Thursday, August 7th from 5pm to 7pm for Wine and Wags at Yavapai College!
There will be dog related activities, including a pet groomer, pet photographer, play area and puppy pools. And of course, VVHS will be on site showing off our adoptable dogs!
Enjoy fine wine, food and live music from Once Bitten while soaking in all the doggy goodness. Yavapai College advising staff will also be on site and campus tours will be available.
Bring your friends, grab a glass, and maybe even meet your new best friend.
Volunteers Grow In Importance and Numbers
The Verde Valley Humane Society now has 85 active volunteers, up from 70 just a few months ago. And the role that volunteers play in the operation of the shelter is more important than ever. Volunteers walk and do Courtyard Playtime with the dogs, foster animals, socialize with cats, help with adoption events, train other volunteers, help with fundraising events and are involved in a number of activities generally classified as animal enrichment.
“The volunteers’ compassion and dedication is a cornerstone of everything we do” according to Summer Blake, Volunteer Coordinator. The estimate for the number of volunteer hours given to the shelter will exceed 20,000 this year.
Recently, a volunteer meeting was held at the shelter to give volunteers a chance to ask questions, clarify roles and share their thoughts on procedures and policies that affect what they do. A lot of good ideas came out of the meeting which will become a regular event, based on its success. “Everyone walked away from this meeting feeling more connected and empowered” according to Matt Meili-Petzoldt, assistant shelter manager.
If you would like to be a VVHS volunteer, please come into the shelter and fill out a volunteer application or fill out an application online here: verdevalleyhumane.org/volunteer/
Shelter Stats
Pets For Patriots
The Verde Valley Humane Society is a proud partner of the Pets for Patriots program which matches overlooked and hard-to-place shelter animals with veterans.
While adopted pets bring both emotional and physical benefits to any family, adoption can especially help ease the stress of a transition when a service member returns from deployment or retires. This nationwide program makes pet adoption more affordable for veterans and military families.
Some of our most overlooked dogs are eligible for this program, like Butch and Scrunchie, who have both been at the shelter for well over one year. Other eligible dogs that have spent a considerable time at the shelter are Boswell, Hercules and Huckleberry.
To qualify for the program, a pet must meet at least one of the following criteria:
Has been at the shelter for over six months
Weighs over 40 pounds
Is at least two years old
Has special needs (e.g., birth defect, disability, or chronic medical condition)
Both Scrunchie, left, and Butch, right, are Pets for Patriots eligible and are two of our longest shelter residents.
Meet our featured pet to adopt, Hercules!
Just look at that adorable face! Hercules is a bundle of love and energy, searching for a family that can keep up with his playful spirit. This sweet boy has so much joy to share and would thrive with a yard where he can run, romp, and let his personality shine.
Hercules adores attention and would be over the moon to have people who will shower him with love, patience, and plenty of playtime. He’s eager to learn and would enjoy continuing his basic training—it’s a wonderful way to bond and let him show off how smart he is!
If you’re looking for a loyal, fun-loving companion who will fill your days with laughter and affection, Hercules might just be your perfect match. Give us a call at 928-634-7387 and let’s help this playful youngster find the loving home he deserves! Hercules is also Pets for Patriots eligible.
Did you know?
Boswell, beating the summer heat!
Verde Valley Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are not affiliated with any other shelter or humane society, either locally or nationally. We rely on the public to support our efforts and 100% of your donations go directly to caring for the animals.
